FAVOURED OF GOD BY DR WILSON LIM
She paused under the burning sun to wipe the sweat from her brow. The work was tiring but she was quietly determined to gather all she could. The pouch on slung over her back was filling up nicely and she could feel its weight upon her shoulders. Bending over, she reached out her slender hands to glean another batch of barley missed by the bunch of harvesters further in front. At that point, she sensed a shadow over her. Turning around, she was taken aback by the tall broad-shouldered man standing close to her. So engrossed was she in her work, she had not noticed him approaching her. A gentle smile spread over the man’s bronzed face, as he spoke with a kind voice.
“My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” (Ruth 2:8-9 NIV)
Ruth suddenly realised it was Boaz, the wealthy landowner of the fieldshe was gleaning the leftovers from. Overwhelmed by his generosity, she exclaimed, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”
In the beautiful story of Ruth, it tells of the favour she found from Boaz who redeemed her and her mother-in-law, saving them from a life of poverty. Yet at another level, it reveals the favour of God who included this Moabitess into the privileged lineage of Jesus.
In the same way, God is seeking those whom His favour can rest upon.
Luke 2:14 (NIV) 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
About a year ago, a husband and wife prophet team based in Perth pronounced prophetically to our movement that God’s extraordinary favour is coming upon us. That God is preparing us for a season of unparalleled favour.
Certainly in the past year we are beginning to see God’s favour as we sought to network with other key ministries around the world. In particular, we are networking with other apostolic movements. In our last Global Conference we were privileged to have apostle Ps. Rick Seaward whose Singapore-based movement has planted some 6000 churches. In our coming conference in Chiangmai we will have Ps. Phil Pringle, apostle of the C3 Global movement with some 300 churches, predominantly in Western nations. God is continuing to provide us favour with such outstanding Christian leaders.
From the prophecy, I wish to highlight two aspects that were mentioned as reasons for God’s choosing to favour us, just as God favoured Ruth of old.
Humility
James 4:6 (NIV) But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
One of the keys emphasized in the prophetic word is the humility of our hearts. One reason, I believe is due to our conviction that we are really ordinary people. Most of us are neither extraordinarily talented nor gifted, nor did we come from a privileged lineage of spiritual giants. Most of us are simply grateful that we were plucked from the fires of hell. And the journeys to date have humbled many of us.
However, I cannot emphasise enough that though we may be humbled by where we came from, we should be humbled even more by the journey God is taking us. For this journey will surely eventually bring with it much more success and blessings, and through it humility rather than pride must grow. We must be resolute in remaining humble in God in order that we may be malleable in His hands.
God desires faithfulness in those who follow Him. Faithfulness to God Himself and to His purposes. Even when the going got really tough, Ruth faithfully chose be beside Naomi. When the going gets really tough, may we choose to be faithfully in the middle of God’s purposes. For God will entrust more to the faithful. 1 Cor 4:2 (NIV) 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
We should never compromise God’s destiny for our lives and for our churches. But to be faithful with what God has entrusted us with. I am determined to cling to God and to faithfully undertake the responsibilities that God has entrusted unto me, no matter how many difficulties come my way.
May I challenge you to choose the route of humility and faithfulness unto God. May you seek to foster these within your life groups and church. Then I am certain the favour of God will come upon you.Seeking God’s favour,
Dr Wilson Lim
HIM Elder
* This article is taken from Rivers of Hope Newsletter
